"Whenever we do something, we always try to do it on the cheapest end possible. That always comes back and haunts us."

Ward 3 Councillors Matthew Shoemaker and Judy Hupponen and Ward 1 Councillor Paul Christian all urged city staff to consider all possible sources of funding, including diverting proceeds from the sale of surplus property to the splash pad.

Virginia McLeod, the city's manager of recreation and culture, replied that small splash pads cost between $250,000 and $400,000, plus cost of servicing and any adjoining buildings.

Sault Ste. Marie's project is slightly more than a bottom-end project, McLeod said.

The splash pad committee has been looking at cutting costs by possibly reducing the size of its attached building.

Other fund-raising opportunities are also being explored, McLeod said.

Meanwhile, Ward 5 Councillor Frank Fata and Ward 2's Sandra Hollingsworth are pushing for a possible relocation of the project to Clergue Park from its proposed Bellevue Park site.

The two councillors served notice tonight that they'll ask at the July 17 City Council meeting that the Downtown Association be given an opportunity to explain why the splash pad should be closer to the city centre.

Today's Poll

Should the city be working on a bid for Amazon's new headquarters?

view related story Yes. We should not miss this opportunity Yes. But let's not spend too much time on it. This is a long shot No. This is a pipe dream. Let's not waste our time on something that's not going to happen No. We don't need Amazon in the Sault